In the first epistle to the Thessalonians we have in the last chapter
very important instruction given to the saints

In the first epistle to the
Thessalonians we have in the last chapter very important instruction given to
the saints. They, like the Corinthians, are an instance of a young church. They
were told to know those that labored among them. Hence all this may be where
there are no elders. Thus in 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13 the apostle writes,
"We beseech you? brethren, to know them which labor among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly
in love for their work’s sake." The presence of elders is not requisite in
order to have and to own those who are over us in the Lord, There is much of
importance for us now in that Scripture, for we have elders no more than they.
I think we ought to lay its exhortations to heart. There are, within and
without, not a few ill-instructed souls who hold the notion that, unless there
be official appointment, they cannot have anybody over them in the Lord. This
is all a mistake. No doubt, when a man was officially appointed, there was a
definite guarantee in the face of the church given by an apostle or an apostolic
man; and there was thereby no little weight given to those who were thus
appointed. Such a sanction had great and just value in the church, and would be
of consequence among the unruly. But, none the less, God knew how to provide
instruction for assemblies where there was not yet official oversight. How
merciful for times like the present when, for want of apostles, there could be
no elders!

 

It will be noticed that the
Corinthian assembly abounded in gift, though elders are seen nowhere among
them. The Thessalonians do not appear to have possessed the same variety of
outward power, and again elders or bishops are never hinted at. Yet at Corinth the household of Stephanas devoted themselves regularly to the service of the
saints; and the apostle beseeches the brethren to "submit [themselves]
unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us and laboreth" (1 Cor.
16:16). The Thessalonians he entreats to know those who labored among them, and
presided in the Lord, and admonished them. Evidently this did not depend upon
their being apostolically appointed, which could hardly have been in their
circumstances as the assembly there was newly formed. It is founded upon that
which after all is intrinsically better if we must be content with one blessing
out of two. Surely, if it comes to be a question between real spiritual power
and outward office, no Christian ought to hesitate between them. To have the
power and the office combined is no doubt the best of all, when the Lord is
pleased to give both. But. in those early days we see that individuals were
often and rightly engaged in the work of the Lord before there could be the
seal of an apostle, as it were, affixed; such the apostle encouraged and
commends earnestly to the love and esteem of the saints before and independently
of that seal. How precious that we can fall back on this principle now!

 

Even at Corinth and
Thessalonica, then, those were raised up in the midst of the saints who showed
spiritual ability in guiding and directing others. That was the work of those
to whom one epistle exhorted subjection (1 Cor. 16:16) and whom the other
epistle commended as "over them in the Lord" (I Thess. 5:12). Such
men as these did not labor only, because some might be actively engaged in the
Lord’s work who might not be over others in the Lord, But these manifested
power to meet difficulties in the church, and to battle with that which was
ensnaring souls, and so to guide and encourage the weak and baffle the efforts
of the enemy. They were not afraid to trust the Lord in times of trial and
danger, and therefore the Lord used them, giving them power to discern and
courage to act upon what they did discern. This was part of what fitted them to
take the lead in the Lord. There were such at Thessalonica as well as at Corinth, and yet there is not the slightest intimation that they were regularly installed
as elders. On the contrary there is the strongest evidence that elders as yet
had not been constituted in either place. The regular practice was to appoint
elders after a certain time; indeed it could only be when the apostles came
around, or sent an authorized delegate to choose fit persons and clothe them
before the church with a title which none but the bad would dispute.

 

Need I observe how God has been
graciously providing for the needs of His children? I would draw attention to
His far-reaching wisdom in meeting the difficulties of the day, when a valid
authority to ordain as the apostles did is not left on the earth. Not that His
children are left without help; they have the same Lord and the same ever
present Spirit. Hence there is no need for some change or new invention to meet
the difficulties of the day, but the return in faith to what was and is the
will of the Lord; and this with intelligence of the actual state of the church
and the feelings which become it.

 

FRAGMENT
Although Timothy and Titus were instrumental in appointing elders as overseers,
due to their youth (1 Tim. 4:12, Titus 2:6,7) they did not meet the
qualifications themselves. Also being bachelors they did not have the
opportunity to first demonstrate their governing abilities in the home scene.
(See 1 Tim. 3:4,5.) This in no way reflects on their piety or faithfulness. It
rather emphasizes the necessity to demonstrate certain natural abilities
together with age, before being entrusted with comparable functions in the
local assembly. As we ponder this subject, we would urge a holy caution to any
who would presume to appoint elder brethren as bishops or deacons or assign any
to that place by a majority ballot. Yet, we do confess the need of proper and
able handling of the money and physical properties of assemblies together with
oversight in other matters. We would therefore urge that men, qualified
according to Scripture, readily and willingly assume these functions wherever
the Lord has placed them. May it not be out of constraint as forced upon them
nor for filthy lucre’s sake but, for the Lord’s sake, in happy service rendered
to Himself. May He also stir the hearts of others to recognize these and co-operate
in their work.